Humidifier head



Nov. 27, 1934. G. c. HANLEY 1,982,137

HUMIDIFIER HEAD Filed Feb.. 15, 1953 Patented Nov. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HUMIDIFIER HEAD George C. Hanley, Malden, Mass.

Application February 15, 1933, Serial No. 656,844

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a humidifier head constituting an element of a vaporizing system, the head being supplied with water and with air under sufficient pressure to vaporize the water and cause the discharge of vapor in places Where humidification of air is desired.

One object of the invention is to provide a humidifier head adapted to be operated at a minimum cost for supplying vaporizing air under pressure.

Other objects will hereinafter appear.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawing, in which Figure, l is a perspective view showing a head coupled to spaced apart conduits, one for Water and the other for compressed air.

Figure 2 shows in section, and separated from each other, the separable sections of the head.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the head in the plane indicated by line 33 of Figure 1, the valve being closed.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, the valve being open.

Figure 5 is a section on the plane indicated by line 5-5 of Figure 1, the valve being open.

Figures 6 and '7 are sectional views showing a valveless head having but one Water chamber.

The head shown by Figures 1 to 5 is constructed as next described.

A flexible diaphragm 12 preferably of rubber, is marginally secured in the head and elsewhere free to be flexed sidewise. The diaphragm subdivides a portion of the head into an air chamber 13 and an inner water chamber 14, each bounded in part by the diaphragm.

The head includes an outer water chamber 15 separated from the inner chamber 14 by an internal partition 16, having a duct 17 connecting the two water chambers, a water inlet nipple 18 adapted to be coupled to a Water. conduit 19 (Fig-' ure 1), and having a duct 20 communicating with the outer water chamber 15, an air inlet nipple 21 adapted to be coupled to an air conduit 22, and having a duct 23 communicating with the air chamber 13, and a combining nipple 24 having an air duct portion 25 communicating with the air chamber through other air duct portions presently described, said duct portions constituting the outlet of the air chamber. The combining nipple has also a water duct 26 constituting the outlet of the inner water chamber 14.

The head includes also a valve 27 in the outer water chamber 15, normally closed by a spring 28 on the partition 16 to close the duct 17 connecting the Water chambers, as shown by Figure 3. Said valve is adapted to be opened by downward movement of the diaphragm, imparted to the valve by a stem 29 extending through the duct 17, and movable by downward fiexure of the diaphragm to open the valve, as shown by Figures 4 and 5.

Another element of the head is a vaporizing nozzle including an inner tube 31 having a small bore and fixed to and projecting from the combining nipple 24, said tube constituting an extension of the water duct 26, and a larger outer tube 30 secured to the combining nipple, preferably by the screw thread connection shown by Figure 5, and surrounding the inner tube 31. The outer tube 30 forms an air space surrounding the inner tube 31, and communicating with the air chamber through the described connections including the air duct 25. The outer tube has an annular end Wall partially closing said air space and provided with a constricted orifice 32 surrounding the outlet end of the inner tube and forming therewith an annular outlet formed to emit an annular air jet surrounding water emitted by the inner tube. The outer end of the orifice 32 is substantially flush with the outer end of the inner tube 31 so that all of the air passing through the air space in the outer tube 30 moves in the samedirection as water passing through the inner tube 31. The air therefore does not retard or hold back the emission of water, but, on the. contrary, facilitates such emission, so that the emitted Water is entirely vaporized in the air outside the head, and the possibility of the formation of drops falling from the head is entirely eliminated.

It is well known that a humidifying head used in a manufacturing establishment must be absolutely free from liability to deliver gravitating drops.

The inner tube 31 is a length of small tubing, such as brass, insertedin the bore 26 and secured therein, preferably by solder. The combining nipple 24 is preferably cast integral with the head. This construction is at once economical andcilicient, the only operations re quired being the drilling of the bore 26 in the nipple 24 and the securing of the inner tube in the nipple, care being taken to so drill the bore 26 that the inner tube is coaxial with the nipple. Machine work such as would be required in making the tube 31 an integral part of the nipple, is therefore eliminated.

When the nipple 24 and inner tube 31 are in-' clined as shown, and water is allowed to enter the water chamber without sufiicient pressure to cause its discharge from the inclined inner tube, an outward flow of water is induced in the inner tube.

In a humidifying system which includes .the conduits 19 and 22, one or more of the described heads connected therewith, and means for supplying air under pressure, the air pressure is greater than the water pressure. When the air pressure in the conduit 22 is shut off the spring pressure closes the valve 27, and the diaphragm is positioned as shown by Figure 3. When air pressure is admitted the diaphragm is flexed, as shown by Figures 4 and 5, and opens the valve 27, so that water is admitted to the inner water chamber 14, and is forced therefrom through the outlet duct 26, and the inner vaporizer member 31. At the same time air is forcedthrough the duct 25 in the combining nipple into the outer vaporizing member 30, and causes a suitable vaporization of the water and the discharge of vapor into the air, i I

The head is of sectional construction; and composedof a recessed body section 33; a cupped outer section 34, and'a cuppedinner end section 35, these sections being-"- shown separately by Figure 2.

The body section 33 includes the partition 16, and is provided at-the upper side of said partition with an annular internal surface 36 defining the wall of the i-nner waterchamber 14, an upwardly facing seat 37 on which the margin of the diaphragm 12 is seated, and an outer annular curb portion 38 upstanding from the seat 37, and provided with an internal screwthread 39, said curb portion cooperating with the cupped outer end section 34, as presently described. v u I I The body section- 33 has-at the lower side of the partition an inner'annular curb portion 40 having an internal screw thread40, and cooperating with the cupped inner section 35, as presentlydescribed. a

The cupped outer; section 34- includesa top portion 41 constituting the top of-theair chamher, and an annular-flange 4-2 having an external screw thread 42? engaging the internal thread 39 of the body section 'curb. The-inner edge of the flange4-2 is formed-to clamp the-'marg-in of" the diaphragm against the-seat 37---when the outer section is screwed to place. v 1

The cupped'inner section-35' includes-a bottom portion 43 constituting the bottom of the outer water chamber, and an annular flange-4410mmingthe wall of the outer water chamber, and having an external screw thread 44 engaging the internal thread 40 of" the curb 40, when the inner section is screwed to place.

The Water and air inlet nipples 18 and21 are formed on or attached to opposite sides of the body section 33, and are adapted to be coupled, asby T fittings'45 ;(Flgurel-Yfto the water and air conduits 19- and 22-between which the 'head is located. l u j The combining nipple 24' having thevaporizing nozzle, isformed on or attached to the body section between. the inlet nipples. Preferably said nipple is integral with the central section.

The air duct which includes the portion 25 preferably includes also an annular air passage 25- formed' between the curb portion -38 of the body section and the annular; flange 42 of the cupped outer section, and a plurality of air ports 25 extending through the flange 42 of the; outer section above the diaphragm. Air passes from the air chamberthrough-saidports to theannular passage '25 and from thence to the duct portion 25. The annular flange 42 of the cupped outer section therefore performs two functions in that it clamps the diaphragm in place, and permits air to pass from the air chamber above the diaphragm to the combining nipple 24. The curb 38 of the body section, and the flange 42 of the outer section, are provided with annular recesses collectively forming the annular air passage 25*. The cooperative relation of said air passage and the ports 25 is such that the free passage of air from the air chamber to the vaporizing means is unaffected by rotative adjustments of the outer section, so that the turning of the latter to clamp the diaphragm does not affect the passage of air.

The arrangement is such that the cupped end sections 34 and 35 may be conveniently removed to permit access to the diaphragm and the valve when repairs are required, Without disturbing the connections between the inlet nipples and the conduits 21 and-22. Said end sectionsareprovided with wrench-engaging surfaces 50.

The partition 16 is preferably provided with a stop 46 projecting into the inner water chamber, and adapted to limit the fiexure of the diaphragm,

said stop being inthis instance an annular exten sion of the duct 1-7.

To prevent wearing contact between the' diaphragm and the stem 29, a reinforcing plate 4'7 (Figures 3, 4 and 5)- is interposed between the diaphragm and the-stem; Said plate is'of such area that 'edgewisedisplacement thereof from its operative position is prevented by the wall of the inner water chamber. The diaphragm is removable from theplate 47, and replaceable by a new one. The body. section is preferably-provided with two combining; nipples 24, each having a vaporizing nozzle.

The tension of the valve spring 28 may be varied by providing the inner cupped section 35 with anv adjustable spring abutment composed of a screw threaded disk48- engaged with a threaded orifice 49 inthe inner section 35; so that it maybe screwed inward to'increase the tension of the spring, and-outward to decrease the tension, and thus compensate for'variationsof the water andair' pressures.

The disk 48 constitutes in effect an adjustable part. of the bottom of the outer water: chamber .in the water chamber '14,, plu's the valve closing pressure ofthes1pring 23'. The spring pressure may be regulatedv either by the adjustable abutment 48', or by substituting, for a spring adapted to exert a given pressure, another adapted to-"exert a strongeror a weaker pressure.

Figures, 6 and 7 show a humidifier headwhich includes the'water and air inlet nipples, the com- 7 bining nipple andthevaporizing nozzle,-each characterized as above described, the head'being valveless and havingbut one water chamber.

The head shown by Figures'fi' and 'Tincludesa body section 50' having 'the'water inlet nipple 18, the air inlet nipple 21 and the'combining nipple 24; two combining nipples being preferably em.- ployed, each provided with the described vapors izing nozzle, as shown by- Figure 7..

The diaphragm 52"bears on a seatin. thezbody section 50 andis confinedby. the outer, section which is constructed as already described, This head differs from that shown by Figures 1 to 5 only in that the bottom of the water chamber 53 is formed by the closed bottom portion of the body section. The outer section 51 and the air conducting and vaporizing means are in. all respects as described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

The water supply of the water chamber 54 may be regulated so that water is always present in said chamber without suflicient pressure to cause its discharge from the inner tube 31 of the vaporizer, water being always so maintained in the water chamber, and in the bore of the inner vaporizer tube 31, that its outflow from said tube occurs only when an annular air jet is emitted through the annular orifice surrounding the outlet end of the inner tube 31 of the vaporizing nozzle. Said jet induces an outflow of water in the inner tube, vaporizes the water and discharges the vapor.

Any suitable means may be provided for maintaining water in the chamber 53, and in the bore of the inner tube 31. For example, the water supplying means of the system may include a socalled ball or float Valve which is automatically closed before there is a suflicient accumulation of water in the head to permit outflow from the inner tube of the vaporizing nozzle, and automatically opened as required to maintain said accumulation.

The combining nipple and its vaporizing nozzle are preferably inclined upward from the head, as shown by Figure 7, this arrangement retaining water in the inner tube when there is no discharge of air through the duct 25.

It is to be understood that the head may be an element of a well known humidifying system including air forcing means automatically controlled by the humidity of the air surrounding the head, so that air pressure is supplied only as required by the hygrometric condition of the surrounding air.

I claim:

1. A sectional humidifier head including a chambered body section and a cupped outer end section, the body section having an annular internal wall defining the margin of a water chamber, an annular upwardly facing diaphragm seat above said wall, an annular internally threaded curb above the diaphragm seat, a combining m'pple projecting from the body section, and means forming the bottom of the water chamber; the cupped outer section having a top portion constituting the cover of an air chamber, and an annular flange having an external thread engaging the internal thread of said curb, and an internal annular wall defining the margin of the air chamber; a diaphragm bearing on said seat and forming the top of the water chamber and the bottom of the air chamber, said diaphragm being marginally clamped against its seat by the top section flange, the combining nipple constituting an ele ment of vaporizing means and having a water duct communicating with the water chamber, and an air duct communicating with the air chamber, said vaporizing means including also a small bore inner tube formed separately from the combining nipple secured in the water duct thereof, and projecting outwardly from the nipple, and a larger outer tube secured to the combining nipple and forming an air space surrounding the inner tube and communicating with the air duct, the outer tube having a constricted orifice surrounding the outlet end of the inner tube and forming therewith anannular outlet formed to emit an annular air jet surrounding the water jet emitted by the inner tube, the outer end of said orifice being substantially flush with the outer end of the inner tube, whereby air emitted by said orifice is prevented from retarding the emission of water from the inner tube, the curb of the body section and the flange of the top section being formed to constitute means unaffected by rotative adjustments of the outer section for conducting air from the air chamber to the air duct of the combining nipple, means being provided for admitting water to the water chamber and air to the air chamber.

2. A sectional humidifier head including a chambered body section and a cupped outer end section, the body section having an annular internal wall defining the margin of a water chamber, an annular upwardly facing diaphragm seat above said wall, an annular internally threaded curb above the diaphragm seat, a combining nipple projecting from the body section, and means forming the bottom of the water chamber; the cupped outer section having a top portion constituting the cover of an air chamber, an annular flange having an external thread engaging the internal thread of said curb, and an internal annular wall defining the margin of the air chamber; a flexible diaphragm bearing on said seat and forming the top of the water chamber and the bottom of the air chamber, said diaphragm being marginally clamped against its seat by the top section flange, the combining nipple constituting an element of vaporizing means and having a water duct communicating with the water chamber, and an air duct communicating with the air chamber, said vaporizing means including also a small bore inner tube formed separately from the combining nipple secured in the water duct thereof, and projecting outwardly from the nipple, and a larger outer tube secured to the combining nipple and forming an air space surrounding the inner tube and communicating with the air duct, the outer tube having a constricted orifice surrounding the outlet end of the inner tube and forming therewith an annular outlet formed to emit an annular air jet surrounding the water jet emitted by the inner tube, the outer end of said orifice being substantially flush with the outer end of the inner tube, whereby air emitted by said orifice is prevented from retarding the emission of water from the inner tube, the curb of the body section and the flange of the outer section being provided with communicating annular recesses collectively forming an annular air passage surrounding the air chamber and communicating with the air duct of the nipple, said flange having air ports connecting the air chamber with said annular passage, the cooperative relation of said air passage and ports being such that the free passage of air from the air chamber to the vaporizing means is unaffected by rotative adjustments of the top section.

3. A sectional humidifier head as specified by claim 1, the means forming the bottom of the water chamber including a partition integral with the body section and provided with a water duct and with a downwardly projecting annular threaded lower curb, the head including also a cupped inner section having an end portion forming the bottom of an outer water chamber and a screw threaded annular flange separably secured to the lower curb and forming the margin of the outer water chamber, the end portion of said inner section being provided with a spring clgsed 

